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Ottawa Community Social Innovation Student Fund
FUND ESTABLISHMENT: Established in late December 2020, through the leadership and generous support of donor Chris Braeuel. The “Ottawa Community Social Innovation Student Fund” supports students to provide pro bono digital technology support to local social enterprises and non-profits.
OUTCOMES: Students gain employment at a living wage and real world experiences in their chosen field to work. Organizations in our community who help make this such a kind and caring community recieve access to digital technology support to address their respective social missions.
USE OF FUNDS: All funds are used to directly support student employment.
“Having a targeted program, and fund, that continues to foster a mutually beneficial experience for students and local social enterprises is a valuable contribution to our community” — Chris Braeuel
Donate NowSalo Family Endowment for Social Innovation
ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHMENT: Established in June 2024 through a generous donation of $50,000 from the Salo Family. This endowment is dedicated to supporting student interns in the Social Innovation Lab, empowering students to engage in meaningful social innovation projects.
OUTCOMES: Enduring support of student intern salaries, allowing them to work on projects that support community-based organizations, including service agencies, charities, non-profits, and social enterprises.
USE OF FUNDS: All funds are used to directly support student employment.
“This endowment is a way to ensure that students have the resources they need to succeed and to foster innovation that benefits us all.” - Russ Salo, Lead representative for the Salo Family
Beneficiaries
Meet the student beneficiaries of the Ottawa Community Social Innovation Student Fund and the Salo Family Endowment for Social Innovation
2021 Aiden Carrie
Aiden is studying Mobile Application Design and Development. Aiden’s project in the Social Innovation Lab is focused on assisting the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard to streamline digital tools used to support their volunteers in feeding the community .
2022 Marwa Alibakhiet
Marwa is studying Public Relations. Her project at the Social Innovation Lab is Map the System, a global competition that challenges students & educators to think differently about social and environmental change. Marwa is also working on Humans of Impact, which curates stories of social enterprises.
2023 Prajakta Amin
Prajakta is studying Marketing Management. Her project at the Social Innovation Lab is assisting Zero Waste Canada, an organization committed to ending the age of wastefulness; she is helping them streamline their communication strategy and digital efforts. She is also working on Genvironment, which advocates for sustainability education.
2024 Paula Lucia Morella
Paula is studying Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Centered Design. Her project at the Social Innovation Lab is advancing new student-led social enterprises on campus. With a multidisciplinary background in public policy, illustration, and design research, she is passionate about creating solutions that foster community belonging.
2025 Sophia Venables
Sophia is studying Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Her project at the Social Innovation Lab is advancing new student led social enterprises on campus. With a passion for business, leadership and collaborative problem solving, she is excited about giving back and creating connections with the community.